Min Woo Lee’s 2025 season delivered a major milestone—his first PGA Tour victory at the Houston Open back in March. But even with that breakthrough, the Australian star wasn’t satisfied with one key area of his game: his iron play.
Statistically, Lee lagged behind the field on approach shots this year, finishing 166th in Strokes Gained: Approach, an area he knows must improve to stay competitive among the game’s elite.
In a recent conversation with Golf Digest Australia, the 27-year-old opened up about the specific swing change he’s focused on and why it mirrors the move used by the world’s best ball-strikers.
Why Lee Is Adjusting His Move Through Impact
Lee is known for his power—especially the dynamic move he uses to generate speed off the tee. His ability to use the ground, snap his head back, and create force is a big reason he hits the ball so far.
But he admitted that this same move doesn’t serve him as well with his irons.
“I create a lot of speed with how I use the ground,” Lee explained. “But when it comes to approach shots, that move doesn’t give me the accuracy I want.”
He noted that elite iron players tend to stay more centered and stable through impact, which wasn’t happening in his own motion.
The Key Change: Stacking Over the Lead Side
Lee shared that his old pattern included his left hip drifting backward and behind him as he struck the ball. That movement caused his hands to push too far forward, producing excessive shaft lean—a recipe for inconsistent control.
To fix it, he’s emphasizing a completely different feel:
“The best players stay over their left side at impact,” he said. “I’m trying to do more of that so I can shallow the club correctly.”
By staying more stacked over his lead side, Lee believes he’ll reduce unwanted lean, improve his strike, and produce the more precise trajectories needed for elite-level approach play.
Why This Adjustment Matters
The change may sound subtle, but it could have major consequences:
- More consistent contact
- Better ability to control trajectory and spin
- Less variability under pressure
- Improved ability to match the world’s best iron players
If Lee successfully blends this new pattern with his natural speed, he could turn a current weakness into a strength—and elevate his already impressive game.
